Free Lured (The Brazil Werewolf Series Book 4) by Amanda K. Dudley-Penn Page B

said in a soft whisper, “Nothing like that will happen to you.  I promise.”
                  I nodded, “I know,” I said, swallowing hard as my mind drifted to my sister, “But it makes me wonder about Jaelle.  If that was her, how have the Grey Wolves treated her?  She’s one of us.  What if they tortured her this whole time because she isn’t one of them?”
                  Tamas gave me a sad smile, “There is a few minutes before the shower begins.  Maybe you should speak to Garridan.  He may have those answers for you.”
                  I nodded as Tamas clasped my hand in his and lead me to Garridan who stood near the entrance of the pit.  His arms were crossed over his massive chest as he gazed toward the forest as if expecting an attack any second.  Finally, he turned back to me, meeting my eyes. 
                  “Ion told me that you may be coming to speak to me,” Garridan said and gave me a sad smile before shifting, “He said it was about the girl who brought Fiona back.”
                  I nodded, “Can you tell me about her?” I asked, frowning as I studied his face.
                  He shrugged, “She’s Eva’s adopted daughter,” he said and then, narrowed his eyes, “Though why she adopted her I have no idea.  She’s never been very nice to her.”
                  “What is the girl’s name?” I asked as my heart thudded hard in my chest.
                  “She calls her little one,” he said and his brow creased, “But once I heard her called Jaelle once.”
                  “That’s my sister’s name,” I said, swallowing hard as tears filled my eyes.  I turned and glanced toward where my mother and father stood wondering if I should tell them. 
                  “Listen,” Garridan said, causing me to turn back to him.  He sighed as his face darkened, “If this girl is your sister, I understand your need to save her but she might be too brainwashed.  She believes Eva rescued her.  In her mind, she’s her mother no matter how bad she treats her.”
                  I studied him for a moment, “What is your connection to Eva?”
                  “I used to be her lover,” he said, swallowing hard, “I used to be in love with her before she let her life be taken over by the Grey family.  She wasn’t always heartless and cruel but when she became that way, there was no going back.  She ripped apart anyone who stood in her way to become alpha…Even me.  Her betrayal took every piece of love I had for her and turned it to hate.  It also ruined any allegiance I had to Emilian.  He fed her need for affection by rewarding violence and heartless endeavors.  When Eva became what she is now, It opened my eyes.  I saw Emilian for what he was…Cruel and heartless.  He was willing to hurt anyone to get his way even his daughters…Even Eva.  She actually respected him for that.”
                  “That’s why you left?” I asked, frowning, “Because of Eva?”
                  “No,” he said with a shrug, “Like I said, what she did opened my eyes but afterwards, the things that Emilian made me do because he was alpha and I was compelled to obey, darkened my soul.  I don’t want to be in darkness.  I don’t want to be evil.  I want to be good.”
                  I gave him a sad smile, “Because you fought against it and wished for something else, you are good.”
                  “Thank you for that,” he said with a nod, “When you are ready to retrieve your sister, let me know.  I’ll help you.  However, I must warn you.  You will need a plan.  Do not go in there without one.  Eva may have started off with a kinder soul than Emilian but now it’s darker than his ever was.  She won’t hesitate to kill your sister in the cruelest of ways.